Liftoff and Re-entry of the Space Shuttle Orbiter
A WebQuest Created by:
Lon L. Eilders, II
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits/References
Many people gather to watch the liftoff and re-entry of the space shuttle orbiter, but few of them understand the complexities that allow man to achieve this marvelous feat.
Investigate the physics behind the liftoff and re-entry of the space shuttle orbiter. Write a paper in which you summarize your findings.
Use the following web pages to research and write your paper:
How Rocket Engines Work (Use the following topics: Introduction, the basics, solid-fuel rockets, liquid-propellant rockets, and other possibilities)
How Space Shuttles Work (Use the following topics: Getting into orbit, position and orbit, and return to Earth)
The paper should be three pages typed not including your title page and reference page. The paper should be written in New Times Roman 12-point font, double spaced.
The paper should address the principles of physics that allow for the space shuttle orbiter to escape Earth's gravity, orbit the Earth, and return to Earth.
The students will be evaluated using the following rubric:
Rubric (Word Document)
Rubric (PDF File)
Paper Rubric
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4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Self Assessment |
Teacher Assessment |
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Opening |
Opening is strong, well-structured, and contains a thesis statement. |
Opening is well-structured and contains a thesis statement. |
Opening is poorly developed but contains a thesis statement. |
Opening is poorly developed and contains no thesis statement. |
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Organization of body |
Structure of body is clearly developed. |
Structure developed reasonably well, but lacks clarity. |
Some attempt to structure the information has been made, but the structure is poorly developed. |
There is a total lack of structure. |
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Closure |
Closing is strong, well-structured, and relates back to the thesis statement. |
Closing is well-structured and relates back to the thesis statement. |
Closing is poorly developed but relates back to the thesis statement. |
Closing is poorly developed and lacks relation to the thesis state if one was present. |
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Sentence Structure |
Sentence structure is correct. |
Sentence structure is generally correct. Some awkward sentences do appear. |
Work contains structural weaknesses and grammatical errors. |
Work pays little attention to proper sentence structure. |
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Punctuation & Capitalization |
Punctuation and capitalization are correct. |
There is one error in punctuation and/or capitalization. |
There are two or three errors in punctuation and/or capitalization. |
There are four or more errors in punctuation and/or capitalization. |
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Total (out of 20)----> |
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Now you understand that the pictures of the space shuttle lifting off and returning to Edwards Air Force Base involve much more than you previously thought.
Grade Band: 9-12 Earth Science
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Earth Science
1.4 investigate the exploration of space.
Grade Band: 9-12 Physics
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Physics
1.2 analyze and apply Newton’s three laws of motion.
1.3 understand work, energy, and power.
1.4 investigate kinematics and dynamics.
Purpose: To encourage students to learn about the physics surrounding the take off and re-entry of the space orbiter through the exciting use of the Internet. To encourage the presentation of data by a paper.
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX movie The Dream is Alive (36 minutes) which is available through slingshot. This should prompt student interest in the topics covered in this WebQuest. Ordering information at www.slingshotdvd.com
This WebQuest can prompt future interest of students in the NASA and the space program.
Learning Improvements: Students will be allowed to do independent research which should lead to a move away from extrinsic rewards to greater intrinsic rewards. Learning will be reinforced when the students assemble and evaluate the research they have done.
Improvements and Expansions: This WebQuest can be expanded by introducing the history of Space Shuttle or investigate further the operations that allow the shuttle orbiter to stay in orbit in space.
HowStuffWorks, Inc. (2003). How rocket engines work. Retrieved on July 30, 2003, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/rocket.htm
HowStuffWorks, Inc. (2003). How space shuttles work. Retrieved on July 30, 2003, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle2.htm
Smithsonian Institution and Lockheed Martin. (1985). The dream is alive [DVD]. Burbank, CA: IMAX.